The season of wedding fairs will be well under way soon, with The National Wedding Show taking centre stage in London, Birmingham and Manchester.
Whether you are attending a National Show or a smaller local wedding fair, be sure to make the most of it to help you plan your wedding. Whilst there is no set protocol for wedding fair shopping, we want you to get the most out of your experience.  Here are some important tips that are worth reading! The first thing to remember is your cheque book! If you come across your dream dress or the perfect wedding cake, be prepared to put down deposits to secure them. It is worth remembering that exhibitors pay to be there, so make sure that you take full advantage of their need to make a good return.  This means that bargains, discounts and offers are all a possibility - making shows or fairs the perfect place to actually save money on your wedding.
It is the perfect time to chat to businesses and mingle with other brides for inspiration. To avoid the meltdown as you struggle to decide on a theme or stick to your budget, dig out those colour samples and mood or Pinterest boards that you've been staring at for weeks.  Remember to download your boards before the fair or show as most venues do not have internet access. Look at them for inspiration throughout the day and as a reminder of what type of colour scheme or theme you've been dreaming of.
When it comes to finding THE dress, shows or fairs are perfect for browsing through multiple collections, with many exhibitors supplying facilities for you to try them on. Remember, if you are wanting to try something on, then refrain from wearing too much makeup or self-tan.  No one wants to see orange marks on a £2,000 dress!  Many brides will not have thought about their underwear before they have secured their dress, but if you have, then be sure to bring it with you.  Trying on a dress with the right underwear makes such a difference. However, it can be said that choice is not always a good thing. If you already have a dress then our advice is to simply avoid the dress section. Browsing other dresses will only make you doubt your own judgement - causing you unnecessary stress.  Move on to the next thing on your list! If you haven't managed to get yourself to a wedding show or fair yet, don't panic - you still have time. Check out our upcoming list of wedding fairs around the country and pop it in your diary!